There were perhaps three lizard-men currently in the entire Ordine Medicos. One was stationed in the Mazatl capital, caring for war veterans and more common maladies that plagued the general populace. One worked in the swamps of the Yokaido front, working through the marshlands and caring for the few and largely forgotten soldiers who fought therein. And the third was a new student at the Ordine academy in Midgar.
The lizard-man who sat before Miquiztli was none of them. He had no discernible ties to the Ordine Medicos at all, not even by their own records. Whether he had ever even set foot inside the Grigori borders were also questionable. Just who he worked for and what their intentions were was also a mystery. All he had ever said was that he came on behalf of people interested in the Cualli's continued independence, and the only connection he claimed with the Ordine was the ability to trade in their secrets and materials.
"Having summoned me back, your lordship, I assume you have thought about my patron's offer? I understand the Calabim have rejected your supplications for peace out of hand," said 'Caqui', such an obviously fake name.
Miquiztli narrowed his eyes at the ease with which the lizard-man infront of him addressed him. But he held any anger at the disrespect.
"What proof have you that you can deliver what you claim?" asked Miquiztli, not bothering to deny the other's question.
Caqui seemed to brighten somewhat. "Oh, so you have considered! Good, good, I'm pleased to hear this. My patron will be very pleased to-"
"I don't give a spittle about what your patron desires. I want to know what he can deliver."
"Very well then," Caqui agreed. "This might be your first proof," he said, taking out a small vial of solution. "This is an Ordine spider-antidote salve. It's carefully made to neutralize nearly all the most common spider poisons of the West. It's only recently been made, this vial coming from the first batch, which my Patron had agents capable of diverting and being reported as lost. The Ordine has hopes to mass produce this potion and to distribute them across the west. If, when, they do, I suspect the Archos tyranny will be in for quite a surprise."
"So you have an antidote to something that does not concern or threaten us," Miquiztli said. "Spiders are not my concern. What do you claim to be able to deliver to help us avoid submission?"
"My patron can offer instructions on battlefield medicines, to help your people recover and fight on against the Calabim invaders. He can offer swamp remedies and techniques so that, when the Calabim march into your swamps and marshes, none of the threats therein will harm you, and the natural defenses shall entirely face the invader. Just as the Sheaim came to grief in the marshes of your hated compliment, the Mazatl, so too will the Calabaim learn to fear and hate the marshes you call your own. Even vampires will fear the sound of the marshland."
"Not enough," ruled Miquiztli. "We already know the marshes, and what you offer is mere accessories to what we already have. If that is all you came to offer, then-"
Caqui leaned forward, mouth beside Miquiztli's ear. He did not react or seem to care at the pressure of Miquiztli's poisoned dagger at his throat.
"The venom of a Midgarsomar serpent," Caqui whispered, and Miquiztli could not quite suppress a gasp of surprise and desire. "The poison of the Yokaido, so foul and strong that not even the Ordine Medicos can claim to negate it or save those struck with it even if they are called immediately. So vile and magical that even high priests despair at their chances to save someone from it. A venom so destructive, so powerful, even vampires or demons would be struck down in hours. This is the peak what my patron offers to you."
Caqui leaned back, pleased that his card had had such an affect. "Oh, there can be other benefits as well, if you wish to pursue them and pay a bit more. The Ordine have discovered a number of great and useful combinations in their studies. Sedative powders that, if scattered to the winds or coated against the vines they use to climb the swamps, could take the bloodlust and motivation of the attackers downwind. Painkillers that could let your fighters ignore wounds and fight as long as zombies but as fiercely as berserkers. There are so many things created in compassion and health that can be of benefit to you in war. A supply of these things are what my patron offers to procure for you for as long as the Calabim threaten you with destruction."
The possibilities rang through Miquiztli's mind, but so did well-earned paranoia and suspicion.
"He offers this, and just in exchange for our own knowledge of poisons? Why should he bother, if he has access to Yokaido venom in the first place? What would be his gain?"
"Not just for your knowledge," Caqui said. "My patron requires your independence as well; he has great interest in seeing you remain alive and the Calabim not triumphant. Consider that his greater desire."
"But then why the knowledge?" asked Miquiztli. "What would he have to gain when he has such a powerful venom already?"
Caqui considered how best to answer it while preserving his Patron's secrecy. "Well," he eventually said, "I suppose it's because the venom, while successful, is too successful, and too obvious as to who would be the culprit, no? Once or twice could be blamed on the Yokaido, but no one would ever believe the Grigori to be behind a number of assassinations that utilize Midgarsomar venom. That there is an alternative source of the venom would be apparent, and secrecy lost."
"No, my patron is searching for more... conventional poisons. Poisons that are still effective, still beyond the scope of the Ordine's ability to nullify. Your people are recognized experts in this regard. Even now, all but the best prepared and equipped Medicos can only stabilize and make marginal recoveries for the lives of your victims, and not reverse the worst effects. That makes your concoctions very interesting indeed, and my Patron desires to learn more."